Obituary of Diane L. Carswell

Diane L. Carswell, 78, of West Branch, died Thursday, February 20, 2014, at her home. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, February 25th at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with burial following at Oakhill Cemetery in Coralville. Memorials in Diane's name can be made to Iowa City Hospice. Diane Lee (Fairchild) was born January 28, 1936, in Coralville, Iowa; daughter of Edward and Mary (Good) Fairchild. She attended school in West Branch and in July of 1976, married Howard Carswell in Iowa City. For many years they lived in Coralville, until 1994, when they moved to their home in West Branch. Diane traveled extensively throughout her life, even making it to Africa on one of her trips. She loved nature and wild animals but also had a big heart for domestics, often helping financially with animal adoptions and rescues. She also loved to read but more important was her love for her grandchildren; Diane was a proud and supportive grandmother. Her family includes her husband, Howard; daughters, Eve Klinkkammer (Stan) of West Branch, Jeannette Sass (Robert) of West Liberty, Theresa Hadlock (Donald) of Colorado Springs, CO and Lisa Ridings of West Branch; grandchildren, Ron Klinkkammer, David Sass, Daniel Wauters, Dakota Wauters, Dennis Gingerich, Summer Klinkkammer, Errissa Thomas and Yolanda Thomas; great-grandchildren, Mya, Issak, Peyton, Chase and Jason; siblings, Joyce Phelps, Mary Jo Benson, Michelle DeBacker and Patrick Conway. Her family also includes numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Diane was preceded in death by her parents, grandchildren, Susan Kilnkkammer, Dalton Wauters and Michael Sass as well as a brother, Robert Conway.